War Paint
by Doug Wright, Michael Korie, Scott Frankel

Broadway
War Paint Book Cover
War Paint Cover

Highlights

120 mins 1960s Reduced Casting (Doubling Possible) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk Award Tony Award

Nominee: Three 2017 Tony Awards Nominee: Six 2017 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Lyrics

Synopsis

Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th century.

Brilliant innovators with humble roots, both were masters of self-invention who sacrificed everything to become the country’s first major female entrepreneurs.

They were also fierce competitors whose 50-year tug-of-war would give birth to an industry.

From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of congress, their rivalry was relentless and legendary – pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men.

Press Reviews

"Thoroughly compelling and masterfully entertaining throughout. It’s an intelligent, character-driven musical about two innovators motivated as much by their own exacting standards as by the spirit of fierce competition between them."

— Hollywood Reporter

"Classy and elegant… highly entertaining and provocative."

— Chicago Tribune

"A marvel… It’s quite a story, and one well told."

— The Wrap

Characters

Character
MISS ELIZABETH ARDEN E3-Bb5

(Range: E3-Bb5)

MADAME HELENA RUBINSTEIN F3-Eb5

(Range: F3-Eb5)

TOMMY LEWIS Bb2-F4

(Range: Bb2-F4)

HARRY FLEMING
FOUR CHARACTER LADIES who portray
THE COUNTESS
THE SOCIETY DOYENNE
THE GRAND DAME
THE HEIRESS Bb3-Bb4

(Range: Bb3-Bb4)

BEAUTY TECHNICIANS F3-F4

(S/A, Range: F3-F4)

REPORTERS
MAGDA
COTTON CLUB PATRONS
MRS. TROWBRIDGE-PHELPS
WORLD WAR TWO MACHINISTS
TV PERSONNEL
MISS SMYTHE
THREE ENSEMBLE MEN who portray
DOORMAN
PORTERS
FREDDY
WAITER
SAILOR
BAR PATRONS
CHARLES REVSON Bb2-Gb4

(Range: Bb2-Gb4)

+ 19 more characters

Videos

Behind the scenes of War Paint on Broadway

Publication

ISBN-13 9780573707094
ISBN-10 057370709X

War Paint is a play written by Doug Wright and published by Concord Theatricals .

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Rating

3.7

3 ratings · 6 reviews

Review

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Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur Only
Fee: Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)

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